Galaxy Swirls Here, broken ceramic tiles of different colors are added to a field of dark cobbles to create a celestial-inspired pattern. It adds an unexpected dimension of whimsy to a private sitting area, without robbing the secluded spot of its serenity. Centered Spiral Lush foliage and a collection of container plants become a defined garden area with a focal point that spirals at your feet. Pebbles of the same size form this bold design, and although its color looks relatively uniform, the different-colored stones reveal themselves upon closer inspection....

Did you build a spectacular gingerbread house that you’d like to share with us? Post it on our Facebook wall or tweet a picture of it at us @thisoldhouse. Or put it up on Pinterest and email us a link so we can re-pin our favorites! 1. Victorian Rowhouse This gingerbread-reproduction was crafted by a seasoned pro, whose creations take about 50 to 60 hours to complete. The icing shingles are shaped using a ruler and toothpick....

It’s possible all your landscape needs in order to thrive is a good cleanup and some well-directed pruning. With a new home, you have a blank palette to plant however you wish. In both cases though, unless you’re an accomplished gardener, it’s a good idea to consult a designer or landscape architect to help you develop a plan. You might also consider hiring a professional landscaper to do the work for you, or at least to take care of any parts of it that require expertise and equipment you may not have....

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…and hello to smart plumbing technology. TOH Plumbing and Heating expert Richard Trethewey shows Jimmy there’s no need to worry about frozen pipes during the winter when you use an automated water shutoff system. TOH Landscape Contractor Jenn Nawada shows Jimmy just how easy (and exciting) splitting logs can be when you use an electric log splitter. TOH General Contractor Tom Silva teaches Jimmy the proper technique for splitting logs (the old-fashioned way) with a log splitter axe—satisfaction guaranteed....

Not all home security companies are created equal. Providers can differ in terms of the number and types of packages they offer, the specific equipment included in these packages, the cost for equipment and professional monitoring, and more. The This Old House Reviews Team has evaluated the best home security systems on these key factors to help you determine the best fit for your Fort Worth home. Top 6 Home Security Systems in Fort Worth, TX ADT: Best Overall Vivint: Best for Smart Home Integration SimpliSafe: Best for Easy Installation Frontpoint: Best for Smartphone Integration Abode: Best for Customization Alder: Best for Medical Alerts...

From the painted ladies of Ohio to the Second Empires of South Dakota, here are our picks for houses in the Heartland. Berwyn, Illinois “People used to snicker whenever you mentioned Berwyn,” says photographer Matt Schademann, who purchased a brick bungalow here three years ago. Indeed, many Chicagoland residents only knew of the area because of a sci-fi-movie TV showcase on which the host relentlessly chastised working-class Berwyn. But this city of 53,000, just seven miles west of Chicago proper, is shaking its butt-of-joke status thanks to affordable housing stock, a slew of recently opened restaurants, shops, and watering holes, and an enviable proximity to the Loop....

Don’t miss cast interviews from your favorite Ask This Old House experts, including Kevin O’Connor, Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, Jenn Nawada, Mark McCullough, Mauro Henrique, Ross Trethewey, Nathan Gilbert, Heath Eastman, and more. Looking Back on 20 Years of Ask This Old House Catch the 20th Anniversary special episode starting Thursday, Jan. 20 on PBS or the This Old House premium subscription channel on The Roku Channel (TRC). You can also stream it for free on TRC starting Jan....

That kind of popularity represents a big boost for the environment, too, because most composites are made from waste: sawdust, used plastic milk jugs, and shopping bags. The fact that composites don’t feel or look like real wood is beside the point. Once in place, they just do their job and don’t need much more than an annual wash-down, leaving you plenty of time to work on your nap. Here’s a detailed review about composite decking, including how to choose the best boards, comparing costs, as well as installing and cleaning them....

I’ve often applied stain and polyurethane to my projects, but Olympic® offers a great one-step solution that let’s me skip the steps of applying and wiping off stain, and waiting for it to dry so I can apply a coat of poly. The product is called Olympic® ELITE Stain and Sealant in One. It’s an exterior product that allows me to show off the wood grain with a semi-transparent finish, while giving the surface waterproofing protection in just one coat....

We also invite you and your children to share your rockin’ finds with Mark on social media using #TOHRockhunt.

How to Marble Paint Countertops Marble comes in many different colors, including gold, black, brown, and blue. We chose to replicate the traditional white with grey veining, but this technique will work with any colors. Follow these steps for painting countertops to look like marble: More: Kitchen Countertop Options; Stone Countertops Tools and Materials Needed Tack cloth or damp rag 7-inch lambs wool paint roller with ¼-inch nap Sandpaper, medium and fine (a palm sander makes the job faster but isn’t necessary) Sea sponge Natural bristle round paintbrush Natural bristle 2-inch paintbrush Feather or small artist paintbrush Blue painter’s tape Three small containers for grey paint Oil-based primer Oil-based paint (eggshell white for the base coat and three shades of grey—light, medium, and dark) Paint thinner or turpentine Oil-based clear gloss polyurethane topcoat One marble tile for reference Plastic sheeting

Shown: To-the-ceiling cabinets accessed by a rolling library ladder, quartzite counters, a drip bar, and a window trimmed with stone scraps make the room inviting and functional. Ladder: Alaco Ladder Company Before: Cluttered Closet The main-floor space was a guest-room-closet-cum-overflow zone. Key Details: Suped-Up Sink The spa-like sink has whirlpool jets to gently agitate delicates. Acrylic sink: MTI Jentle Jet Key Details: Curtains for Kitty A curtained cabinet hides the litter box for the couple’s three cats....